Page 5 - 2014 A2LA Annual Report
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A2LA 2014 Annual Report
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Message from the President
A2LA started out 2014 with a monumental announce- Moving into 2015, A2LA will remain focused on the fol-
ment: approval from the Centers for Medicare and lowing strategic objectives we have identified which
Medicaid Services (CMS) to accredit clinical labo- are integrally related to the achievement of A2LA’s
ratories to the requirements found within the Clinical mission and vision:
Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988.
The announcement of A2LA’s “deemed status” to n P roviding the best customer service in all sectors
accredit clinical laboratories was formally published of industry by carefully listening to our customer
in the Federal Register on March 25, 2014. We have re- needs and enhancing our customer service infra-
ceived a great deal of interest in our program, and we structure;
are proud to offer the unique Platinum Choice option,
which combines ISO 15189 and the CLIA requirements n D eveloping strategic partnerships to increase
for a robust, internationally-recognized accreditation. value-added services to our clients. In our core
business we will continue to serve our clients with
2014 also brought additional new recognitions, As- the highest professionalism and integrity;
sociation milestones and numerous accreditations
granted and renewed. The first FedRAMP 3PAO was n Expanding our training capabilities and services to
accredited by A2LA to ISO/IEC 17020. The Forensic reach a wider range of industries worldwide;
program saw its first forensic trace evidence analysis
testing laboratory and its first forensic blood alcohol n Raising awareness by government, industry and
testing laboratory accredited. A2LA signed a new consumer stakeholders about the importance of
MRA with APLAC for recognition of A2LA’s Proficiency accreditation and its role in risk management;
Testing Provider accreditation program for ISO/IEC
17043. An exclusive partnership with the Stack Test- n Promoting the aim of “one test, one certifica-
ing Accreditation Council was established to offer a tion, one accreditation—accepted everywhere”
unique accreditation package for Air Emission Testing embodied by mutual recognition arrangements
Bodies (AETBs). A2LA has also signed an agreement (MRAs) among accreditation bodies, including
with the GCC Accreditation Center (GAC) for coop- those of the International Laboratory Accreditation
eration in different sectors of accreditation. Reflecting Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accredi-
on these and other accomplishments during the year, I tation Forum (IAF); and
am humbled to be working with the diversely talented
staff at A2LA. None of these milestones and successes n F ostering a culture of shared growth by supporting
would be realized without the combined effort of our our domestic and overseas partners and stake-
hardworking teams. holders to become globally competitive players
in the accreditation community.
Overall, our metrics, established by the Board of
Directors to measure our progress, have continued I would like to thank all of the A2LA staff, assessors,
to improve. The end-of-year revenue significantly members, Board of Directors, accredited and enrolled
increased, as A2LA welcomed 275 new applications organizations, external stakeholders and other constit-
during 2014. Turnaround times across the entire orga- uents for their hard work in making A2LA a successful
nization consistently improved, as we strive to provide organization year after year.
the best customer service possible. Performance
feedback on our assessors and A2LA staff is highly Peter S. Unger,
positive. In order to enhance customer service, A2LA President/CEO
treats all ratings of “needs improvement” or “poor” as
complaints and addresses them accordingly, although
many metrics categories received no “needs improve-
ment” or “poor” ratings for 2014. We remain com-
mitted to seeking out opportunities for improvement
in order to maintain top quality performance while
effectively managing significant growth.
